SPECIAL MEETING ANGLICAN DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11814, 1 June 1893, Page 2

SPECIAL MEETING ANGLICAN DIOCESAN SYNOD.

(Per Pbess Association.) Wellington, MAy 31. A Bpecial Ression of the Diocesan Synod of Wellington was held at 3 o'clock this afternoon for tho purpose of electing a Bishop of the Diocosa in place of'Dr Hadfield, who has resigned tho See. The following wore present : — Arch<joacon Fancourt, and the Eovs. W. Bafiachey, W. Booth, A. P. Clarke, R. Coffoy, C. D. De Castro, A. Dasent, J; M. Devenish, H. B. Harvey, A. Hermon, A. To Hana, J. Jones, A. S. Innis-Jones, W. H, Kay, J McWilliam, W. E. Paige, A. Towgood, T. L. Tudor, W. C. Waters, ;A. C. Williams, E. H Wjatt, A. W. Bradbury, H. Atkins, T. M. McLean, Young, and Pratt. Tho laity present nuraberoj 21.

In the course of his address Archdeacon Fanconrt, who presided, said it was O on the same date (October 9th) named in Bishop Hadfisld's letter of resignation, in the year 1879, that the present Bishop was consecrated in St. Paul's pro-Cathedral by the then Primate Bishop Harper, and the then Bishop 3of Waiapu and Nelson and the presont Bishop of Auckland. Consequently tho day he had fixed for his resignation ti> take effect upon would be tbe.24th anniversary of his connection. One other clergyman (Rev. J. McWilliam) and Mr Fancourt himself were the only members of the present Synod who took part in Bishop Hadfield's election to tho Bishopric. The election was the first under their constitution, and in fact the first independent election of a bishop by any colonial Synod, and the consecration was the first consecration of a bishop in any of tho colonial churcho3 without letters patent or license from the Crown. It would thus ba seen that the election and consecration of the bishop to whom thay were now called upon to elect a successor were among the great landmarks in the history of colonial churches, and pointed to an important epoch in the history of the devolopment of thoir own church into an independent provincial church. As one who had known Bishop Hadfisld for the past 271 years and who had latterly been most intimately acquainted with him in the work of the diocese, he wished to express tho affectionate regret all present felt at the cause which led to to-day's gathering. He had no doubt the Synod would express at the proper time and in fitting terms its ewn sense of the great services which had been rendered to this diocese and church by the second Bishop of Wellington, and its deep regret at the prospect of his near resignation. The Rev. Mr Coffey moved that the Synod adjourn till 7.30 o'clock to enable the clergy and laity to exchange views on the subject for which they had been called together. He thought this course would place thorn in a better position to come to a decision.

After a short discussion, during which it was suggested that ths election should take place in committee, the motion was carried by a narrow majority.

Later. Immediately on the Synod resuming at 7.30 o'clock it was decided to go into committee, and all strangers were excluded. There is very little chance of a decision being arrived at to-night, and deliberations will probably have to be resumed to-morrow.